If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

White Perch in South NJ

Just moved to deep south NJ near the Tuckahoe and Mullica watersheds, pretty far from southeastern PA streams and NJ skylands streams I try to make it out to as much as I can. Started saltwater fly fishing for the first time this year, didnt make it up to IBSP or land any stripers or weakies but caught and released some nice big American Shad. With striper season over I was wondering if any of you guys ever went out to catch perch on the fly rod, I have tied some pink and white bucktails and pink crazy charlies, thinking of getting some grass shrimp and taking the kids out (i have five boys) with spinning gear to catch some. My family doesnt eat meat except for fish so it would be nice to catch a bunch of perch. I heard you can catch them as early as January in collins cove in the Mullica but I dont own a boat nor dare to bring my kids out on some river ice. Anybody on hear fly fish south jersey tidal creeks?

Re: White Perch in South NJ

I caught a bunch down in a tidal river in the egg harbor area (albeit on spinning tackle and blood worms). High tide was the key for that particular river. Lot of work cleaning and preparing them, as the ones I was catching were smaller, but tasted delicious fried up.

Re: White Perch in South NJ

Try manahawkin wma in early march. Usually the full moon brings them into the impoundments. You can also catch them in the creeks. Any small flashy flies work well. The kids can do good with small pieces of worms.

Re: White Perch in South NJ

cool, your talking about those big cedar lakes off the parkway that the warren grove cedar creeks run into? I always wanted to check that out over there. Do they spawn in that area? I heard the lower bank bridge on the Mullica is another hotspot for them in the spring.